CALOS

2024

Product Design

Calisthenics is the form of exercise that uses a person's body weight and requires little to no equipment. It builds strength and skill through bodyweight training, yet most equipment is bulky, hard to install, or limited in use. This project explores those gaps and sets a direction toward more accessible and adaptable solutions.

Training Concerns

Risk of injury from poor form or uncontrolled reps.

Possibility of shoulder or elbow strain without scapula retraction.
Safety issues if pull-up bars are not securely installed.

Risk of injury from poor form or uncontrolled reps.

Possibility of shoulder or elbow strain without scapula retraction.
Safety issues if pull-up bars are not securely installed.

Discomfort or poor grip due to unsuitable bar diameter.

Difficulty or overexertion if not adapted to age and fitness level.
Muscle imbalance from lack of pull-up variations.

Discomfort or poor grip due to unsuitable bar diameter.

Difficulty or overexertion if not adapted to age and fitness level.
Muscle imbalance from lack of pull-up variations.

Market Research

Indian market

Products include wall-mounted or door-mounted bars, rings, balls, and variations.
Attachments work only with pre-installed pull-up bars.
Adjustable modes are preferred for progression.
No product offers easy installation with multiple exercise variations beyond pull-ups.

Indian market

Products include wall-mounted or door-mounted bars, rings, balls, and variations.
Attachments work only with pre-installed pull-up bars.
Adjustable modes are preferred for progression.
No product offers easy installation with multiple exercise variations beyond pull-ups.

International

Doorframe products differ in India vs. Europe/US due to architraves.
In Europe/US, pull-up bars rest on or between the architrave and wall.
Indian doors lack architraves, requiring friction based pull-up products.

International

Doorframe products differ in India vs. Europe/US due to architraves.
In Europe/US, pull-up bars rest on or between the architrave and wall.
Indian doors lack architraves, requiring friction based pull-up products.

Task Analysis

Pullup on bar

Chinup on rings

Types of grips observed

Underhand/ Supinated grip

Lats, the biceps, pectorals, triceps, obliques

Overhand/ Pronated grip

Functional strength, back strength, lats, rhomboids, deltoids

Hammer/ Neutral grip

Less stress on wrist, muscle balance, biceps, brachii, brachialis

Effect of rod thickness on muscle activation

User Research

We conducted user research at a calisthenics gym run by an internationally acclaimed athlete with users across different age groups, skill levels and genders

Usage & Motivation

Practiced mainly for strength, endurance and skill development.
Injuries are rare as it’s bodyweight-focused.
Home users often improvise with furniture for workouts.

Installation Challenges

Drilling causes damage and is time-consuming.
Confusing setups (rings, bars) limit adoption.
Insufficient clearance at home for proper exercise.

Usage & Motivation

Practiced mainly for strength, endurance and skill development.
Injuries are rare as it’s bodyweight-focused.
Home users often improvise with furniture for workouts.

Installation Challenges

Drilling causes damage and is time-consuming.
Confusing setups (rings, bars) limit adoption.
Insufficient clearance at home for proper exercise.

Equipment & Grip

Raw/wooden grips preferred; foam grips avoided for rolling & poor durability.
Paint is only valued when it provides a rough texture.
No variety in bar thickness, grip options, or adjustable heights.

Progression Limitations

Difficult to achieve progressive overload with bodyweight alone.
Lack of multi-exercise solutions beyond pull-ups.

Equipment & Grip

Raw/wooden grips preferred; foam grips avoided for rolling & poor durability.
Paint is only valued when it provides a rough texture.
No variety in bar thickness, grip options, or adjustable heights.

Progression Limitations

Difficult to achieve progressive overload with bodyweight alone.
Lack of multi-exercise solutions beyond pull-ups.

The core problem is not posture correction but installation hurdles and limited exercise variation

Design Brief

To design a calisthenics equipment that targets upper body muscles and help perform body weight exercises against gravity that can be installed easily in a household setting.

Ideations

Form Development

Low fidelity thermocol mockup

Final Concept

This innovative calisthenics system transforms any standard doorframe into your personal gym. Its unique C-clamp design securely attaches to doorframes, allowing you to quickly set up handles, rings, ropes or other accessories.

The versatile handles can be rotated into 4 distinct grip positions—Neutral, Wide, Close and Climber's—empowering you to explore a vast array of exercises like pull-ups, dips and incline push-ups and effectively target different muscle groups.

Designed for portability, the modular system easily disassembles, making it perfect for both home workouts and taking your fitness routine wherever life leads you.